Mark Harmon

Who Is Mark Harmon?

Mark Harmon, born on September 2, 1951, in Burbank, California, is an accomplished American actor best known for his roles in several successful television series, including St. Elsewhere, Chicago Hope, and NCIS (formerly NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service). Harmon first gained widespread recognition for portraying a doctor on St. Elsewhere, and his portrayal of special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS solidified his status as a prominent figure in television. In 1985, he was named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” and continued to earn acclaim in guest roles, including a notable appearance on The West Wing in 2002. More recently, he has expanded his portfolio with roles in television films.

Early Life

Mark Harmon grew up in a household shaped by his father’s career as a sports broadcaster. His father, Tom Harmon, a former Heisman Trophy winner, was often absent due to his professional commitments, which left his wife, Elyse Knox, to raise their three children. Despite his father’s infrequent presence, Mark developed a close bond with him over their shared passion for sports. Harmon’s athletic prowess was evident during his college years when he served as the starting quarterback for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) football team. However, he opted not to pursue a professional football career, instead choosing to explore other avenues.

In his youth, Harmon’s sister, Kristen, began a relationship with Ricky Nelson, son of famed TV personalities Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. This connection led to an unexpected opportunity for Mark to appear in a guest role on the TV series Ozzie’s Girls (1972-1973). While acting had not initially been on his radar, this experience ignited a curiosity for Hollywood and set the stage for his future career.

Making It in Hollywood

Harmon graduated with a degree in communications in 1974 and initially rejected offers to pursue a career in professional sports, instead briefly considering law school. After leaving law, he worked for an advertising agency and later sold shoes to athletes, but he remained unsatisfied. Ultimately, he turned to acting, determined to follow a new path.

At the outset of his acting career, Harmon sought guidance from Jack Webb, the iconic star of the crime series Dragnet. Webb’s mentorship helped Harmon land a guest spot on the police procedural Adam-12 (1968-1975), and soon after, Harmon secured a series of guest appearances, typically playing nameless, silent characters. His first major TV role came in 1977 with the TV movie Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years, which earned him an Emmy nomination.

Despite his early success, Harmon struggled to land his breakthrough role and supported himself by working as a roofer during the day while performing in local theater at night. His persistence paid off in 1981 when he landed a leading role in the prime-time soap opera Flamingo Road. The show, which starred Morgan Fairchild and Cristina Raines, was canceled in 1982, but it led to a romantic relationship between Harmon and Raines, though they parted ways a few years later. Harmon’s brief romance with actress Heather Locklear followed, marking another chapter in his personal life as he navigated the ups and downs of both his career and relationships.

Big Break

Mark Harmon quickly transitioned to another high-profile TV series: the medical drama St. Elsewhere. He joined the cast during the critically acclaimed show’s second season, portraying plastic surgeon Dr. Bobby Caldwell. His co-stars included Denzel Washington, David Morse, Ed Begley Jr., William Daniels, and Howie Mandel.

Harmon’s role as Dr. Caldwell allowed him to raise awareness about AIDS. In the third season, his character contracted the disease, a storyline that challenged the prevailing perception that AIDS only affected certain communities. “That was an important piece of information to get out because there was a consensus at the time that AIDS was the result of a certain lifestyle, and that was dead wrong,” Harmon shared with Entertainment Weekly.

In 1986, Harmon took on one of his most challenging roles: portraying the notorious serial killer Ted Bundy in the TV movie The Deliberate Stranger. Harmon skillfully captured both Bundy’s charm and his sinister nature, solidifying his versatility as an actor. Despite the dark role, Harmon’s public image remained unaffected, and he was named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 1986.

Personal Life

In the same year, Harmon began dating actress Pam Dawber, whom he met through a mutual friend. The couple married in 1987 in a small, intimate ceremony. However, their early years together were marred by a bitter custody dispute over Harmon’s nephew, Sam. Harmon took legal action against his sister, actress Kristin Harmon Nelson, to protect his nephew’s well-being. Kristin, once married to rocker Ricky Nelson, was struggling with substance abuse. The legal battle caused a rift in the Harmon family, but Harmon eventually dropped the suit to end the conflict.

Diverse Roles

Harmon’s film career saw success during the late ’80s and early ’90s. In 1987, he starred as Mr. Freddy Shoop in the comedy Summer School, followed by leading roles in The Presidio, alongside Sean Connery, and Stealing Home, with Blair Brown, Harold Ramis, and Jodie Foster. In 1991, he returned to TV in the police drama Reasonable Doubts, where he played a detective working with a deaf assistant district attorney (Marlee Matlin). The show was canceled after two seasons.

His next series, the detective drama Charlie Grace (1995), lasted only five episodes. However, Harmon found greater success when he joined the cast of Chicago Hope (1996), a medical drama where he portrayed an orthopedic surgeon. “Having been a carpenter, I feel close to this character. So much of what they do in the surgical theater is like working with wood,” Harmon explained to Entertainment Weekly. The role also allowed him to spend more time with his family, which by then included two sons, Sean and Ty.

In 1996, Harmon demonstrated his heroism off-screen when he rescued two teenagers trapped in a Jeep after an accident near his home. Using a 12-pound sledgehammer, he broke the vehicle’s windshield, saving the teens moments before the car exploded.

After Chicago Hope concluded in 2000, Harmon appeared in several TV movies and made a guest appearance on The West Wing in 2002. His portrayal of Secret Service agent Simon Donovan earned him widespread acclaim and an Emmy Award nomination.

NCIS

Producer Don Bellisario, impressed by Harmon’s work on The West Wing, cast him as the lead investigator Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the military crime procedural NCIS. “What I saw was a very controlled presence, a quiet strength. That’s what I was looking for. Leroy is Mark’s kind of guy. Mark has that jock mentality—you tough it out no matter how tough it is,” Bellisario explained to Entertainment Weekly.

Premiering in 2003, NCIS quickly garnered a large following. A spin-off from the Navy legal series JAG, it featured Harmon as Special Agent Gibbs, alongside a talented ensemble including Michael Weatherly, Sean Murray, David McCallum, and Pauley Perrette. Over the years, Harmon has showcased his range, portraying a character who balances professional competence with deep personal struggles. “He can be really good at his job … but so much of his life is really tormented and dark,” Harmon reflected.

In 2007, Harmon and Bellisario clashed over the management of the show. Tensions arose regarding late scripts, and Harmon voiced his concerns to the network. As a result, Bellisario was replaced by a new showrunner. “This is a hard enough thing to do when everything is going right. We’ve made changes, and we’re better organized now,” Harmon told USA Today.

By 2010, NCIS had become one of television’s most popular series, consistently attracting over 20 million viewers each week.

Off-screen, Harmon is known for his down-to-earth personality, humor, and professionalism. His colleagues admire his dedication and lack of pretension. “He’s one of those guys who makes you say, ‘They don’t make them like that anymore,'” his wife Pam said in an interview with In Style magazine.